Weddings & Events, Culinary & Wine
Your Wedding Should Taste as Good as It Looks: A Guide to Choosing a Venue That Takes Food Seriously
You can spend months picking the perfect flowers, color palette, signage, and venue. And they all matter. But here’s the truth couples often realize after attending a few weddings of their own: If the food is bad, people will remember.
You could have the most stunning views and beautifully curated décor, but if dinner falls flat, it leaves a lasting impression and not the kind you want. That’s why when you’re shopping for a venue, you should ask yourself one important question: Are they going to care about the food as much as I do?
At LaBelle Winery, we believe food should not just support your wedding. It should help define it. That is why we run a scratch-made kitchen led by trained chefs who care deeply about each couple we serve. But whether or not you choose us, here are some important questions to ask when comparing venues.
10 Questions to Ask When Evaluating a Wedding Venue’s Food Program
- Is the food made in-house, or is it outsourced to a third-party caterer or banquet service?
- Are menus scratch-made or pre-prepared from frozen or bulk ingredients?
- Can I see a sample menu in advance, and is it seasonally driven?
- Do they accommodate dietary needs in a thoughtful way?
- Is the chef classically trained, and who leads the kitchen?
- Will I have the opportunity to taste or learn about the food before the big day?
- Does the culinary team help guide me through decisions or do I have to build everything from scratch?
- Are there wine pairings or beverage enhancements available?
- Can I design a signature cocktail, and will someone help me do that?
- Do they care as much about the guest experience as they do about presentation?
These aren’t just nice-to-haves. They are clues. They tell you whether food is an afterthought or a true priority. They tell you whether a venue values your guests or just wants to move through service as fast as possible.
LaBelle is a family-owned business, not a chain. I personally taste every dish before it ever appears on a wedding menu, and I do not approve anything I would not proudly serve at my own table.
Our Executive Chef Justin Bernatchez leads a scratch-made kitchen with a published menu that evolves seasonally. He has been named Best Chef in New Hampshire two years running, but what sets him apart is his heart.
“Weddings aren’t just about making great food,” Justin says. “They’re about creating a moment that feels special for every single person in the room. That’s what drives our entire team.”
Our menu is built to be flexible within a curated structure. That means you will not be overwhelmed by too many decisions, but you will still have a hand in crafting a meal that feels like you. We also cook with LaBelle wines, infusing our sauces and reductions with depth and character. If you are interested in wine pairings, I would be happy to help select options that enhance each course. And when it comes to signature cocktails, we can help you design something personal and fun that reflects your story.
When couples leave our event venues, we want them to feel that their guests were not just fed, but also cared for. That the food was not just good for a wedding, it was simply good.
So here is your gentle reminder. Don’t save the food conversation for last. Bring it to the top of your checklist. Because when everything else fades—the flowers, the chairs, the playlist—the taste of a beautifully prepared meal stays with you and your guests.
Ready to experience what a truly thoughtful wedding menu feels like?
We would be honored to help you bring your vision to life. Here’s to raising the bar, one course at a time,
Ready to start planning?
- Tour LaBelle Winery Wedding Venues: https://labellewinery.com/weddings-events/
- Learn About Amy’s Wedding Design Coaching: https://amylabelle.com/documents/2/LaBelle_Print_Amy_LaBelle_Wedding_Design_Coaching_8.5x11_2023-Final_Rev.pdf
